Next generation of business leaders helped by entrepreneur’s appointment

THE MANAGING director of an innovative solutions business aims to help the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs after being appointed to Dumfries and Galloway College’s leadership team.

Eddie Black, the entrepreneur behind Eco Group, brings extensive experience across different business sectors to the college’s Board of Management.

Through hard work, dedication and vision, Eddie has gone from running a single business in 2010 to employing 70 people across several businesses and will share his talent for variety and innovation in the role.

Eddie, who is currently building a new state-of-the-art HQ for Eco in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, said: “I’m looking forward to using my industry experience and knowledge to help the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs.”

Eddie is one of six new appointments to Dumfries and Galloway College’s Board of Management.

The new board members also include Senior Bank of England official, Will Dowson, who is the bank’s Agent for Scotland. Will has a wide range of policy-making and leadership experience, in addition to his knowledge of the public and third sectors and understanding of how technology may help address environmental issues.

He is joined by Richard Nash, director of Natural Power, who has been instrumental in the firm’s innovations in renewable energy, and Sue Irving, Director of Housing Services at Loreburn Housing Association, which owns and supports 2,500 properties in Dumfries and Galloway. Sue has experience of leading organisational change, strategic leadership, and driving performance improvement.

Also joining the board is Professor Malcolm MacLeod, Senior Deputy Principal and Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Stirling, whose specialities include improving the student experience and amplifying the voices of students, and Gillian Brydson, Director of Skills, Education and Learning at Dumfries and Galloway Council, who has 25 years of experience in education leadership and a passion for lifelong and professional learning.

Dumfries and Galloway College chair Hugh Carr said he was delighted to welcome the six new members to the college’s board.

He said: “Each one of them brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and knowledge that will help us continue to deliver the first-class educational and vocational opportunities that we are so proud to offer.”

Dumfries and Galloway College is a further educational institution with campuses in Dumfries and Stranraer.

One of the main employers and providers of learning and training in the south of Scotland, the college champions green skills development to tackle climate change.

The college’s Board of Management is made up of representatives from industry, commerce and education, and benefits from its members’ extensive expertise of business and public life together with practical experience in education and training.